VIII
SHAKESPEARE'S WORKMANSHIP IN "THE WINTER'S TALE"
The versification is that of Shakespeare's latest group of plays. Dowden says, "No five-measure lines are rhymed and run on lines, and double endings are numerous." Give examples of the construction of the lines from "Love's Labour's Lost" as an earlier play, "Merchant of Venice" as a riper play. It has been said that the difficulties of style in the play are accounted for by the endeavor of the author to reflect the changing moods of Leontes. Compare with Prospero's diction and construction in "The Tempest." Give examples of these.
QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION
Does the lawlessness of poetic workmanship in "The Winter's Tale," together with the looseness of the dramatic construction, show a deterioration from the ripe power of Shakespeare's middle period, or that practised artistic mastery which is free from art by means of perfect art?